Is there an interview involved in the admission decision process?
Interviews are required prior to an offer of admission. While you are always welcome to visit campus for the interview, most interviews will be conducted by alumni in locations across the country as convenient to the applicant as possible. After the initial application review the admission committee will facilitate these interviews which will also provide you the opportunity to meet CMC alumni who are successful leaders in the financial service industry.

When do I find out whether I am accepted for admission?
Decisions on applications completed prior to the early decision deadline of November 2nd will be announced as quickly as possible. Application reviews begin immediately after each review deadline: January 11, February 8 and March 7, 2016. Applications received after the round three deadline (March 7) will be reviewed and decided upon individually as space in the class permits. Decisions on all international applications will be made as quickly as possible following the spring Round 2/International application deadline of February 8th.

Is the application process any different if I attended CMC or one of The Claremont Colleges?
The application process is designed to support admission of the very best class possible. While the requirements are essentially the same, some adjustments have been made to the application process for CMC students.

Are there advantages to applying early?
Yes. Substantial, but not unlimited, merit-based aid will be awarded as admission decisions are made. Early admission decisions also enable career planning and development efforts to start as early as possible.

How many apply? How many are admitted?
In the five year history of the Master’s program in finance the class size has averaged approximately 20 students. Future class size is expected to remain between 20 and 25 students. The number of applications received each year has varied and has actually decreased this last year with the demonstrated selectivity of the program.

Please review the online class profiles to learn more about past and current students.

Is there a minimum GMAT or GRE score?
There are no minimum scores, though applicants are expected to have demonstrated excellence in the test scores provided. Scores must have been earned within the last 5 years. The average GMAT total score has exceeded 700 since the start of the program and has exceeded 720 several times.

Is either the GRE or GMAT preferred?
There is no preference between the two tests.

Do I qualify for an application fee waiver?
There is no expectation of waiving application fees, though extraordinary financial circumstances should be addressed with the Director of Graduate Admissions at RDSAdmission@claremontmckenna.edu.

Who must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
Most international students (not a U.S. citizen, Permanent U.S. Resident or native of an English speaking country) are expected to demonstrate English language mastery on the TOEFL exam. This requirement is waived for international whose undergraduate education was delivered primarily in the English language. Applicants with questions should contact the Director of Graduate Admission at RDSAdmission@claremontmckenna.edu or (909) 607-3347. Unofficial practice test information can be found at: http://www.examfocus.com

Can I submit my IELTS or TSE score instead of the TOEFL?
While the TOEFL is preferred, we will accept competitive scores on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of Spoken English (TSE) exams.

Where do I need to send my transcripts?
The online application welcomes uploading of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts, after accepting an offer of admission, should be mailed to:

How many letters of recommendation do I need and how should they be sent?
We require two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a faculty member. The online application includes an electronic invitation to your references to submit the letters online.

May I submit more than two letters of recommendation?
We require only two letters of recommendation. If you believe that a third letter better informs the selection committee then it can be easily added using the online process invitation process.

What does the admission committee look for in an applicant?
We will strongly consider demonstrated academic excellence to include quantitative strength and prerequisite coursework. More so than many degree programs, we heavily value leadership experience, potential, and ambition.

How is work experience considered?
The program admission respects but does not expect prior work experience. At least one quality internship is preferred. Upon admission, The Robert Day School provides career assistance to students, including assistance with internships and job placement.

Where do I send my application and supporting materials?
The application is completed online. Supporting materials such as official transcripts, when applicable, can be mailed to:

Robert Day School Admission Office
Claremont McKenna College
500 E. Ninth St.
Claremont, CA 91711

How do I find out the status of my application?
Upon submission of your application you can check the status of your application on-line at any time. Questions should be e-mailed to RDSAdmission@claremontmckenna.edu or calling (909) 607-3347.

Can I defer my admission?
Admission is considered and granted for the year of the application. Offers of admission have been deferred for exceptional circumstances such as acceptance of a Fulbright Fellowship or similar national award.

What is the tuition and cost of the program?
Tuition for the AY 2015-2016 is $56,026. Tuition for AY 2016-2017 will be approved in the fall of 2015. Admitted students can expect tuition to be offset with significant merit-based scholarship support. Tuition includes the cost of all co-curricular activities and networking trips. Projecting the total cost of attendance will depend on choice of housing and transportation expenses. Claremont McKenna College fees are minimal. For planning purposes you should consider non-tuition expenses, including housing, to be approximately $15,000.

Are there scholarships or financial aid available?
Merit-based scholarship decisions are made by the admission committee as part of the admission process. No additional submission is required. As noted above, thus far all enrolled students have received substantial merit-based scholarships. U.S. graduate students are eligible for unsubsidized Stafford Loans based on individual cost of attendance.

All applicants are welcome to arrange a visit to the campus by e-mailing RDSAdmission@claremontmckenna.edu or calling (909) 607-3347. Admitted students will be invited for a campus visit and orientation in April 2015.

Can I work while completing the program?
This is an intensive academic program with a highly structured curriculum. Students are also required to participate in the co-curricular activities which make this program much more of an experience than a collection of classes. The ability to work and/or participate in other campus activities will depend entirely upon your academic and time management skills, but should not be assumed. Your first priority, without question, must be continued academic excellence. There are exceptionally few on-campus work opportunities for graduate students.

Admission Update – June in Claremont

Congratulations to the 22 graduating members of the MA Class of 2015! We enjoyed sharing the year together to include the end-of- year hooding and commencement ceremonies with your families. Well done and thank you for being such great members of the CMC community. Warm welcomes to the CMC alumni community!

And now we await the arrival of the Master's program in Finance Class of 2016 on August 13th. Between now and then we will share any relevant updates concerning programming as well as future application opportunities.

What Students Say

“I’d say the reputation was one of the first things that drew me to CMC and the Master’s in Finance program. You really start to develop a bond with the people you go on the networking trips with, you’re all going through these meetings together.”